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spirit_n	faith_n	grace_n	true_a	7,614	5	5.1102	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A13694	The follovving of Christ Diuided into foure bookes. Written in Latin by the learned and deuout man, Thomas a Kempis, canon-regular of the order of S. Augustine. Whereunto also is added the golden Epistle of S. Bernard. And also certaine rules of a Christian life, made by Iohn Picus the elder, Earle of Mirandula. Translated into English by B.F.; Imitatio Christi. English.	Hoskins, Anthony, 1568-1615.; Elyot, Thomas, Sir, 1490?-1546.; Bernard, of Clairvaux, Saint, 1090 or 91-1153. Epistola de perfectione vitae. English.; Pico della Mirandola, Giovanni, 1463-1494, Regulae duodecim portim excitantes portim dirigentes hominem in pugna spirituali. English. aut; Thomas, à Kempis, 1380-1471, attributed name.; Whitford, Richard, fl. 1495-1555?	1615 (1615)	STC 23988; ESTC S111535	135,170	483

created mee to thy Image and likenesse Genes 1. graunt mee this grace which thou hast shewed to bee so great and so necessary to saluation that I may ouercome my wicked nature which draweth me to sinne and to the losse of my soule For I feele in my flesh the law of sinne contradicting the law of my minde and leading mee captiue to obey sensuality in many things neither can I resist the passions thereof vnlesse thy holy grace feruently infused into my heart doe assist me Rom. 7. 2 Thy grace O Lord and great grace is needfull that nature may be ouercome which is euer prone to euil from her youth For by Adam the first man in falling and being corrupted by sinne the penalty of this staine hath descended vpon all mankind in such sort that Nature it self which by thee was created good and without defect is now accounted for vice and for the infirmitie of a corrupted nature for that the motion thereof left vnto it selfe draweth to euill and abiect things For the little force which remaineth is like a certaine sparke lying hidden in ashes This is naturall reason it self compassed about with great darknesse still retaining power to discerne good and euill and the distance betweene true and false although it be vnable to fulfill all that it approueth and enioyeth not now the full light of truth nor the former integrity of her affections 3 Hence it is my God that according to my inward man I delight in thy law knowing thy Commandements to bee good just and holy reprouing also all euill and sin and doe know that it is to be fled Rom. 7. But in my flesh I serue the law of sin whilest I rather obey sensualitie then reason Hence it is that I haue a will to doe good but know not how to performe it For this cause I often purpose many good things but for that I want grace to helpe my infirmity for a light resistance I go backe and faint I know the way of perfection see clearely enough what I ought to do but pressed with the waight of mine owne corruption I rise not vnto it 4 O Lord how needfull is thy grace for me to beginne any good worke to go forward and to accomplish it Ioh. 13. For without it I can do nothing but in thee I can doe all things when thy grace doth comfort me O heauenly grace without which our owne merits are nothing and no gifts of nature are to bee esteemed Arts riches beautie and strength wit or eloquence are of no worth with thee O Lord without thy grace For gifts of nature are common to good and euill but the peculiar gift of the elect is grace and loue wherewith being marked they are esteemed worthy of euerlasting life This grace so much excelleth that neither the gift of prophesie nor the working of miracles nor any speculation how high soeuer is of any esteeme without it Neyther faith nor hope nor other vertues are acceptable vnto thee without charitie and grace 1. Cor. 13. 5 O most blessed grace that makest the poore in spirit rich with vertues and the rich in many blessings humble in heart come downe vnto me replenish mee in the morning with thy comfort lest my soule should faint with wearines and wither away with drines of mind I beseech the Lord that I may find grace in thy sight for thy grace sufficeth though other things that nature desireth be wanting Psal 22. If I be tempted and vexed with many tribulations I will not feare euils whilest thy grace is with me shee is my strength she giueth aduice and help she is stronger then all enemies and wiser then all the wise 6 Thy grace is the mistresse of truth the teacher of discipline the light of the heart the solace in affliction she driueth away sorrow she expelleth feare she is the nurse of deuotion the bringer foorth of teares What am I without it but a rotten peece of wood and an vnprofitable stalke only meet for the fire Let thy grace therefore Lord alwaies preuent me and follow mee and make mee euer diligent in good workes through Iesus Christ thy Son Amen CHAP. LVI That we ought to deny our selues and imitate Christ by the Crosse OVR LORD SOnne looke how much thou canst goe out of thy selfe so much mayest thou enter into me As to be void of all desire of externall things maketh inward peace so the forsaking of our selues joyneth vs internally to God I will haue thee learne the perfect leauing of thy selfe vnto my will without contradiction and complaint Follow me I am the way the truth and the life Ioh. 14. Without the way there is no going without truth there is no knowledge without life there is no liuing I am the way which thou oughtest to follow the truth which thou oughtest to trust the life for which thou oughtest to hope I am the way which cannot lead amisse the truth which cannot erre the life which cannot end I am a most strait way a supreme truth a true life a blessed life an increated life if thou remaine in mee thou shalt know the truth and truth shall deliuer thee and thou shalt apprehend euerlasting life 2 If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements if thou wilt know the truth beleeue me Mat. 19. If thou wilt be perfect sell al. If thou wilt be my disciple deny thy selfe Luk. 9. If thou wilt possesse a blessed life deny this present life Ioh. 12. If thou wilt be exalted in heauen humble thy selfe vpon earth Luk. 14. If thou wilt raigne with me beare the Crosse with mee For onely the seruants of the Crosse finde the way of blisse and true light SER. 3 Lord Iesus for as much as thy way is narrow strait and contemptible vnto the world grant me grace to imitate thee in suffring willingly all worldly contempt For the seruant is not greater then his Lord nor the Disciple aboue his Master Mat. 7. Let thy seruant be exercised in thy holy life for there is the health and the true sanctitie of my soule whatsoeuer I reade or heare besides doth not recreate or delight me fully Luk. 6. LORD 4 Sonne now that thou knowest and hast read these things happie shalt thou be if thou fulfill them Hee that hath my Commandements and keepeth them hee it is that loueth me and I will loue him and will manifest my selfe vnto him and wil make him sit with me in the Kingdome of my Father SER. Lord Iesus as thou hast said and promised so giue mee grace to deserue that it be fulfilled I haue receiued the Crosse I haue receiued it from thy hand and I will beare it and beare it till death as thou hast laid it vpon me Truely the life of a good religious person is the Crosse and it is a sure guide to heauen It is now begunne it is not lawfull to go backe neither is it fit to leaue that which I haue vndertaken 5 Let vs then

mightest shew thy sweetenesse towards thy children vouchsafest to feede them with the most delightsome bread which descendeth from heauen and is full of all sweetnes Wisd 12. Surely there is no other Nation so great that hath Gods approching vnto them as thou our God art present to all thy faithfull vnto whom for their daily comfort and for the lifting vp of their hearts to heauen thou giuest thy self to be eaten and enioyed Deut. 4. 3 For what other Nation is there so famous as the Christian people Or what creature vnder heauen so beloued as a deuout soule to whom God himselfe commeth to feed her with his glorious flesh O vnspeakable grace O admirable fauour O infinit loue singularly bestowed vpon man But what shall I giue vnto our Lord in returne of this grace for so singular a charitie Psal 115. There is no other thing more gratefull that I am able to giue then to bestow my heart wholy on my God and to vnite it perfectly vnto him Then shall all my bowels reioyce when my soule shall be perfectly vnited vnto God Then hee will say vnto me if thou wilt be with me I will bee with thee And I will answere him Vouchsafe O Lord to remaine with me and I will be with thee This is my whole desire that my heart be vnited vnto thee CHAP. XIV Of the feruent desire of some deuout persons to receiue the Body of Christ The voice of the Disciple O How great is the store of thy sweetenesse O Lord which thou hast hidden for them that feare thee Psalm 30. When I remember some deuout persons who come vnto thy Sacrament O Lord with great deuotion and affection I am oftentimes confounded and blush within my selfe that I come so negligently and coldly to thy Altar to the Table of holy Communion that I remaine so drie and without spirituall motion or feeling that I am not wholy inflamed in thy presence my God nor so earnestly drawne and moued as many deuout persons haue beene who out of a vehement desire of receiuing and a feeling affection of heart could not containe themselues from weeping but with the desire both of soule and body they earnestly longed after thee O God the liuely Fountaine being not otherwise able to temper nor satisfie their hunger but by receiuing thy Body with all joy and spirituall greedinesse 2 O most ardent faith of those persons a probable argument of thy sacred presence For these truely know their Lord in the breaking of bread whose heart burneth so within them whilest thou O blessed Iesu walkest with them Luk. 24. Such desire and deuotion so vehement loue and feruencie is oftentimes far off from me Be mercifull vnto me good Iesu sweet and benigne Lord and grant me thy poore needy creature to feele sometimes at least in this holy Sacrament a little cordiall desire of thy loue that my faith may be more strengthened my hope in thy goodnes encreased and that my charity once perfectly inflamed after the tasting of heauenly Manna may neuer decay 3 Thy mercy O Lord is able to giue me the grace I desire and to visit me in thy bounteous clemencie with the spirit of feruour when it shall please thee For although I burne not with so great desire as those that are so especially deuoted vnto thee yet notwithstanding by thy grace I desire to haue this great inflamed desire praying and crauing that I may participate with all such thy feruent louers and be numbered among them in their holy company CHAP. XV. That the grace of deuotion is obtained by humilitie and deniall of our selues The voice of the Beloued THou oughtest to seeke the grace of deuotion instantly to aske it earnestly to expect it patiently and considently to receiue it joyfully to keep it humbly to worke with it diligently and to commit the time and manner of this heauenly visitation to God vntill it shall be his pleasure to come Thou oughtest chiefly to humble thy selfe when thou feelest inwardly little or no deuotion and yet not to be too much deiected nor to grieue inordinately for it God often giueth in a short moment that which he hath long time denied he giueth sometimes in the end that which in the beginning of prayer he differred to grant 2 If grace should be alwaies presently giuen and at hand euer with a wish it could not be well endured by a weake man Therefore deuotion is to be expected with good hope and humble patience yet impute it to thy selfe and thy sinnes when it is not giuen thee or when it is secretly taken from thee It is sometimes a small matter that hindreth hideth grace from vs if it bee to bee called small and not rather a great matter that hindreth so great a good And if thou remooue this bee it great or smal and perfectly ouercome it thou shalt haue thy desire 3 For presently as soone as thou giuest thy selfe to God and seekest not this nor that for thine owne pleasure or will but setlest thy selfe wholy in me thou shalt find thy selfe vnited vnto him and quiet For nothing will taste so well and please thee so much as the will and pleasure of God Whosoeuer therefore with a sincere heart directeth his intention to God purgeth himselfe from all in ordinate loue or dislike of any creature shall be most fit to receiue grace and worthy of the gift of deuotion For our Lord bestoweth his blessing there where he findeth his vessels empty And how much the more perfectly one forsaketh these basest things and dieth to himselfe by contempt of himselfe so much the more speedily grace commeth and entreth in more plentifully and lifteth vp the heart that is free to a higher state of grace 4 Then shall he see and abound and wonder and his heart shall be enlarged because the hand of our Lord is with him and hee hath put himselfe wholy into his hand for euer Esa 60. Behold so shall the man bee blessed that seeketh Almighty God with his whole heart and taketh not his soule in vaine This man deserueth great grace of diuine vnion in receiuing the holy Eucharist for that hee regardeth not his owne deuotion and comfort but aboue all deuotion and comfort he prizeth the honor and glory of God CHAP. XVI That wee ought to manifest our necessities vnto Christ and to craue his grace The voice of the Disciple O Most sweete and louing Lord whom I now desire to receiue deuoutly thou knowest my infirmitie and the necessity which I endure with how many sins I am oppressed how often I am grieued tempted troubled and defiled I come vnto thee for remedie I craue of thee thy heauenly comfort and the ease of my paine I speake to him that knoweth all things to whom all my secrets are open and who can only perfectly comfort and helpe mee Thou knowest what it is whereof aboue all things I stand in most need and how poore I am in vertues 2 Behold

things more which thou hast not yet well learned SER. What are those Lord LORD That thou frame thy desire wholy according to my pleasure and be not a louer of thy selfe but a diligent follower of my will Thy desires oftentimes doe stirre thee vp and driue thee forwards with violence but consider whether thou art mooued rather for my honour then for thine owne profit If I bee the cause thou wilt bee well content with whatsoeuer I shal ordaine but if there lurke in thee any selfe inclination behold this is it that hindreth thee and weigheth thee downe Phil. 2. 2 Beware therefore thou incline not too much vpon any desire that commeth to thy minde before thou aske my counsaile lest perhaps afterwards it repent thee and that thou beginne now to dislike that which before did please thee and vvhich thou earnestly desiredst as the best For euery affection that seemeth good is not presently to be-followed nor euery contrary affection at the first to be fled It is expedient sometimes to vse a restraint euen in good desires and endeauours lest by importunitie thou incurre distraction of minde and by euill example become a scandall vnto others or being gaine-said by others thou bee suddenly troubled and fall 3 Yet sometimes thou oughtest to vse violence and resist manfully thy sensuall appetites Philip. 2. and respect not what thy bodie vvould or vvould not but rather to labour that euen perforce it bee subiect to the spirit Rom. 8. and 2. Cor. 4. And it is to be chastised so long and to be forced vnder seruitude 2. Cor. 10. vntill it readily obey in all things and learne to bee content with a little and to be pleased with ordinary things and not to murmure against any inconuenience 1. Cor. 9. CHAP. XII Of the effect of Patience and of strife against Concupiscence THE SERVANT LOrd God I perceiue patience is very necessary vnto me for that many aduersities doe happen in this life Heb. 10. Howsoeuer I shall dispose of my peace my life cannot be without warre and affliction Iob 7. LORD So it is Son And my wil is not that thou seek after that peace which is void of temptation or that feeleth no contrarieties but then thinke that thou hast found peace when thou art exercised with sundry tribulations and tried in many aduersities Iam. 1. 2 If thou say that thou art not able to suffer much how then wilt thou endure the fire of Purgatory Of two euils the lesse is alwayes to be chosen That thou maist therefore auoid euerlasting punishments in the next world endeauour to suffer patiently for God the present euils of this Doest thou thinke that men of this world suffer little or nothing Thou art deceiued Looke into the life euen of them that liue in greatest delicacies and thou shalt finde it otherwise But thou wilt say they haue many delights and follow their own wills and therefore they make small account of their tribulations Be it so that they haue whatsoeuer they will but how long dost thou thinke it will last 3 Behold the vvealthy of this world vanish away like smoke and there shall bee no memory of their joyes past Psal 67. Yea euen while they liue also they rest not in them without griefe irksomnes and feare For the selfe-same thing in which they take their delight is oftentimes the cause of sorrow vnto them and much affliction They haue their desert who for that they immoderately seeke and follow delights they do not obtaine them but with shame and sorrow 4 O how short and deceitfull how inordinate and filthy are those pleasures Yea so senselesse and blind are men that they vnderstand it not but like dumbe beasts for a little pleasure of a corruptible life they incur the eternall death of their soule Doe not thou therefore my Sonne follow the disordinate inclinations of thy corrupt nature but forsake thine owne will Delight in our Lord and he will giue thee the desires of thy heart Eccls. 28. Psal 36. 5 If thou desire true light and to be more plentifully comforted by me behold in the contempt of all worldly things and in the cutting off of all base delights shall be thy blessing aboundant comfort shall be giuen thee And how much the more thou withdrawest thy selfe from all comfort of creatures so much the sweeter and more forcible consolations shalt thou finde in me But at first thou canst not attaine vnto them without a certaine griefe labour and strife The old custome wil make resistance and thou must ouercome it with another custome that is better Thy flesh will murmure but thou must bridle it with feruour of spirit The olde Serpent will sting and trouble thee but by prayer hee shall be put to flight and with profitable labour thou shalt shut the dore against him CHAP. XIII Of the humble obedience of a subiect according to the example of Christ OVR LORD SOnne hee that endeauoureth to withdraw himself from obedience withdraweth himselfe from grace And hee that seeketh to haue things in priuate shall lose the common Mat. 16. He that doth not willingly and freely submit himselfe to his Superiour it is a signe that his flesh is not yet perfectly obedient vnto him but oftentimes rebelleth and murmureth against him Learne therfore readily to submit thy selfe to thy Superiour if thou desirest to subdue thine owne passions For the outward enemy is sooner ouercome if the inward man be in good estate There is no worse enemy nor more troublesome to the soule then thou vnto thy selfe not agreeing well with the spirit Thou must of necessity haue a true contempt of thy selfe if thou wilt preuaile against flesh and bloud 2 Because thou louest thy selfe as yet too inordinatly therfore thou art afraid to resigne thy selfe wholly to the will of others But what great matter is it if thou that art dust and nothing submittest thy self to a man for God when I the Almighty and highest soueraigne who created all things of nothing humbly submitted my selfe vnto man for thee Luk. 2. Ioh. 12. I became the most humble and abiect of all men that thou mightest ouercome thy pride with my humility Learne to obey thou that art dust Learne to humble thy selfe thou earth and clay and put thy self vnder th● feet of all men Learne to breake thine owne will and to yeeld thy selfe to all subiection 3 Take courage against thy selfe and suffer not pride to liue in thee but humble and submit thy selfe to all that euery one may go ouer thee and treade thee as dirt of the streets vnder their feet Vaine man what canst thou complaine of what canst thou answere foule sinner to them that reproue thee who hast so often offended God and so many times deserued hell But mine eye hath spared thee because thy soule was precious in my sight that thou mightest know my loue and alwaies remaine gratefull for my benefits that thou mightest continually giue thy selfe to true subiection

simple and well ordered thou shalt bee free from bondage Couet not that which thou mayest not haue Mat. 6. Bee not willing to haue that which may hinder thee and depriue thee of inward libertie It is a wonderfull thing that thou committest not thy selfe wholy vnto me from the bottom of thy heart with all things that thou canst desire or haue 2 Why doest thou consume thy selfe with vaine griefe Why tyrest thou thy mind with needlesse cares Resigne thy selfe to me thou shalt feel no losse at al. Exo. 18. Mic. 4. If thou seekest this or that wouldest be here or there to enioy thine own cōmodity pleasure thou shalt neuer be in quiet nor free from trouble of mind for in euery thing somewhat will be wanting and in euery place there wil be some that wil crosse thee 3 Not euery external thing therfore attained and heaped together helpeth thee but it rather auaileth if thou despise it and doest root it out from thy heart which thou must not vnderstand onely of thy reuenewes and wealth but of the desire of honor also vaine praise all which do passe away with this fading world The place auaileth little if the spirit of feruour be wanting Esa 4.8 neither shall that peace which is sought abroad long continue if the state of thy heart be destitute of a true foundation that is vnlesse thou persist in me thou maist change but not better thy selfe For whē occasion doth happen thou shalt find that which thou soughtest to fly and perhaps more A prayer for cleansing the heart and obtaining of heauenly wisdome SER. 4 Confirme mee Lord with the grace of thy holy Spirit Ps 50. Giue me force to strengthen my inward man and to purge my heart from all vnprofitable care griefe Eph. 3. not to be drawne away with sundry desires of any thing either little or great Mat. 6. but to consider all things how they are transitory and do quickly fade that my selfe do also passe away togither with thē for nothing is permanent vnder the Sun where all things are vanity and affliction of mind O how wise is he that so cōsidereth them Eccl. 1. 2. 5 Grant me Lord heauenly wisdome that I may learne aboue all things to seek and find thee aboue al things to delight in thee and to loue thee to think of all created things as they are according to the disposition of thy wisdome Grant me prudently to auoid him that flatters me to suffer patiently him that cōtradicts me Eph. 4. It is great wisdome not to be moued with euery blast of words nor to giue eare to dangerous flattery for so we shall go on securely in the way which we haue begun CHAP. XXVIII Against the tongue of Slanderers OVR LORD SOnne be not grieued if some think euill of thee and speake that which thou dost not willingly heare Thou oughtest to judge the worst of thy selfe and to thinke no man weaker then thy selfe 1. Cor. 4. If thou walk according to spirit thou wilt not much esteeme of flying words It is no smal wisdome to be silent in time of euil and inwardly to turne to me and not to bee troubled with the judgement of men 2 Let not thy peace bee in the tongues of men for whether they judge well or euill thou art neuerthelesse alwaies the same Where is true peace and true glory Is it not in me and he that coueteth not to please men nor feareth to displease them shall enioy much peace From inordinate loue and vaine feare ariseth all disquiet of heart and distraction of the senses CHAP. XXIX How we ought to call vpon God and blesse him when tribulation draweth neere THE SERVANT BLessed O Lord be thy name for euer since it pleaseth thee that this temptation and tribulation should fall vpon me Iob 1. Psal 112. I cannot fly it but haue need to fly to thee that thou maist helpe me and turne it to my good Lord I am now afflicted and it is not well with mee I am much troubled with this present griefe And now beloued Father what shall I say I am taken in narrow straits saue me in this houre Mat. 26. Yea therefore I am fallen in this houre that thou maist be glorified when I shal be greatly humbled and by thee deliuered Let it please thee Lord to deliuer me for poore wretch that I am what can I do and whither shal I go without thee Grāt patience Lord euen this time also Help me my God and then I wil not fear how much soeuer I be oppressed 2 And now in this what shall I say Lord thy will be done Mat. 6. I haue well deserued to be afflicted and grieued Surely I ought to beare it and I would to God I might beare it with patience vntil the tempest be passed ouer it become calme But thy omnipotent hand is able to take this temptation from me and to asswage the violence thereof that I vtterly sinke not vnder it as oftentimes heretofore thou hast done vnto mee my Lord my Mercy And how much the more hard it is to mee so much the more easie is this change of thy mighty hand to thee CHAP. XXX Of crauing the diuine aide and confidence of recouering grace OVR LORD SOnne I am thy Lord who doe vse to giue comfort in the day of tribulation Come vnto me when it is not wel with thee Nahum 1. This is that which most of all hindreth heauenly consolatiō that thou art slow in turning thy selfe vnto prayer Mat. 11. For before thou dost earnestly commend thy self to me thou seekest many comforts and delightest thy selfe in outward things And hence it proceedeth that al doth little profit thee vntil thou consider that I am he that deliuer those that trust in me that out of me there is neither powerfull helpe nor profitable counsell nor remedy that can continue But now thou hauing recouered breath after the tempest gather strength againe in the light of my mercies for I am at hand saith our Lord to repaire al not only entirely but also abundantly Mat. 23. 2 Is there any thing hard to me or am I like vnto him that promiseth and performeth not Where is thy faith Be firme and constant Take courage and be patient comfort will bee giuen thee in due time Attend me expect I wil come and cure thee It is a temptation that vexeth thee and a vaine feare that affrighteth thee What else doth the care for future incertainties bring thee but sorrow vpon sorrow Sufficient for the day is the euil therof It is a vain and vnprofitable thing to be grieued or to reioyce for future things that perhaps will neuer happen Mat. 6. 3 But it is incident to man to be deluded with such imaginations and a signe of little courage to be so easily drawne away by the suggestion of the enemy For he careth not so he delude deceiue thee whether it be true or

experience they haue of themselues in their earthly affections so they frame an imagination of heauēly things But there is an incōparable distance betweene the things which the imperfect frame in their conceits and those which illuminated persons do see by reuelation from aboue 7 Beware therefore my Sonne that thou treat not curiously of these things which exceed thy knowledg but rather so apply thy endeauours that thou maist at least haue the meanest place in the Kingdom of heauē Eccles 3. And if any one did know which of the Saints exceeded others in sanctity or is esteemed greater in the kingdom of heauen what would this knowledge auaile him vnlesse he should thereby humble himselfe the more in my sight and stirre vp his minde to praise my name with greater feruour His labour is much more acceptable vnto God that thinketh of the greatnes of his sins and his want of vertues and how far off he is from the perfection of the Saints then he that disputeth of their greatnes It is better to pray to the Saints with deuotion and teares and to craue their glorious suffrages with an humble mind then to search their secrets with a vaine curiositie 8 They are well and right well contented if men could content thēselues and refraine from these vaine discourses They glory not of their own merits for they ascribe no good vnto themselues but attribute all to me who of my infinite charity haue bestowed my blessings vpon them They are replenished with so great loue of my Godhead and so superabundant joy that there is no glory nor happines that is or can be wanting vnto them All the Saints how much the higher they be in glory so much the more humble they are in themselues and neerer and dearer vnto me And therefore thou hast it written That they did cast their crownes before God and fel downe vpon their faces before the Lambe and adored him that liueth for euer Apocal. 4. 9 Many enquire who is greatest in the Kingdome of God that know not whether they shall euer be numbred there amongst the least It is no small matter to bee euen the least in heauen where all are great for that all there shall be called and shall be indeed the Sonnes of God The least there shall bee great among thousands and the sinner of an hundred yeares shall die For when the Disciples asked who was the greater in the Kingdome of heauen they receiued this answere Matth. 18. Vnlesse you be conuerted and become as little children you shall not enter into the Kingdome of heauen Whosoeuer therefore shall humble himselfe as this little childe he is the greater in the Kingdome of heauen 10 Woe be vnto them that disdaine to humble themselues willingly with little children Mat. 6. For the low gate of the Kingdom of heauen wil not giue them entrance And wo be to the rich that haue their comforts heere for whilst the poore enter into the Kingdom of God they shall be waiting without Reioyce you that be humble and you that bee poore be you glad for yours is the Kingdome of God if you walke according vnto truth Mat. 5. CHAP. LIX That all our hope and trust is to be fixed in God alone THE SERVANT LOrd what trust haue I in this world Or what is the greatest comfort that all things vnder heauen doe yeeld mee Is it not thou my Lord God whose mercies are without number Where hath it beene well with mee without thee Or when could it bee ill with mee when thou wert present I had rather bee poore for thee then rich without thee I rather choose to be a Pilgrime in earth with thee then to possesse heauen without thee Where thou art there is heauen and there is death and hell where thou art not Thou art my desire and therefore it behoueth mee to send forth deep sighes from my heart and crie and pray vnto thee For I haue none to trust vnto none that can help mee in time of necessitie but thee alone my God Thou art my hope and my trust thou art my comforter and most faithfull vnto mee in all my distresses 2 All men seeke their owne gaine thou only seekest my saluation and my profit and turnest all things to my good Phil. 2. Although thou permittest many temptations to assault me and many aduersities to befall me yet thou ordainest all this to my good and profit who art wont to proue thy beloued seruants a thousand wayes In which proofe thou oughtest no lesse to bee loued and praised then if thou diddest replenish me with heauenly comforts 3 In thee therfore my Lord God I put my whole hope and refuge in thee I place my tribulation and anguish for I finde all to be weake and vnconstant whatsoeuer I behold out of thee For neither can many friends auaile nor forcible helpers aide nor wise counsellers giue profitable answere nor the bookes of the learned comfort nor any wealth deliuer nor any secret or pleasant place defend if thou thy selfe dost not assist helpe comfort instruct and keepe vs. 4 For all things that seeme to be ordained for the rest and solace of man when thou art absent are nothing and doe bring indeed no joy nor comfort at all Thou therefore art the end of all that is good the light of life the depth of wisdome and the most forcible comfort of thy seruants is to trust in thee aboue all things To thee therefore do I lift vp mine eyes In thee my God the Father of mercies I put my whole trust Blesse and sanctifie my soule with thy heauenly blessings that it may be made thy holy habitation and the seat of thy eternall glory and that nothing may be found in the Temple of thy greatnes that may offend the eyes of thy Maiestie According to the greatnes of thy goodnes and multitude of thy mercies take pitie vpon mee and heare the prayer of thy poore seruant who is farre exiled from thee in the land of the shadow of death Protect and keepe the soule of thy seruant amidst so many dangers of this corruptible life and by the assistance of thy grace direct it in the way of peace to the Countrey of euerlasting light AMEN The end of the third Booke OF THE FOLLOWING OF CHRIST THE FOVRTH BOOKE A deuout Exhortation vnto the blessed Sacrament The voice of Christ COme vnto mee all yee that labour and are burdened and I will refresh you saith our Lord. Matth. 11. The bread which I will giue is my flesh for the life of the world Ioh. 6. Take yee and eate this is my body that shall be deliuered for you Matth. 26. Doe this for the commemoration of me He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my bloud remaineth in me and I in him 1. Cor. 11. The words which I haue spoken vnto you are Spirit and life Ioh. 6. CHAP. I. With how great reuerence Christ ought to be receiued THese are thy words O Christ euerlasting Truth

though not spoken all at one time nor written in one and the selfe-same place Because therefore they are thine and true they are al thankfully and faithfully to be receiued by me They are thine thou hast spoken them and they are mine also because thou hast spoken them for my saluation I willingly receiue them from thy mouth that they may be the deeper imprinted in my heart These deuout words so full of sweetnes and loue do stirre me vp but mine owne offences doe amaze me my impure conscience driueth me back from the receiuing of so great mysteries The sweetnes of thy words doth encourage mee but the multitude of my sinnes doe oppresse me 2 Thou commandest me to come confidently vnto thee if I will haue part with thee and to receiue the food of immortality if I desire to obtaine euerlasting life glory Come sayest thou vnto me all ye that labour and are burdened and I wil refresh you Mat. 11. O sweet and louely word in the eare of a sinner that thou my Lord God shouldest inuite the poore and needy to receiue thy most blessed body But who am I Lord that I may presume to approach vnto thee Behold the heauens cannot containe thee and thou sayst Come ye all vnto me Mat. 11. 3 What meaneth this most pious benignity and so louing inuitation How shal I dare to come that know not any good in mee whereupon I may presume How shal I bring thee into my house that haue often offended thy most gracious countenance The Angels and the Archangels honor thee the Saints and just men doe feare thee and thou sayest Come ye all vnto me Mat. 11. Vnlesse thou O Lord didst say it who would beleeue it to be true And vnlesse thou didst command it who would dare to come vnto thee Behold Noe a just man laboured an hundred yeares in building of the Arke that he might be saued with a few and how can I in one houres space prepare my selfe to receiue with reuerence the Maker of the world Gen. 6. 4 Moses thy great seruant and especiall friend made an Arke of incorruptible wood which also he couered with most pure gold to put the Tables of the Law therein and I a rotten creature how shall I so lightly dare to receiue the Maker of the Law and the giuer of life Salomon the wisest of the Kings of Israel bestowed seuen yeares in building a magnificent Temple in praise of thy name and celebrated the feast of the Dedication therof eight daies together 3. King 6. hee offered a thousand peaceable sacrifices and set the Arke in the place prepared for it with the sound of trumpets and joy 3. King 8. and I the most vnhappie and poorest of men how shall I bring thee into my house that I can scarce spend one halfe houre deuoutly And I would to God it were once almost one halfe houre in worthy and due manner 5 O my God how much did they endeauour to please thee and alas how little is that which I doe How short time doe I spend when I prepare my selfe to receiue I am seldome wholy recollected very seldome altogether free from distraction yet surely no vndecent thought should occurre in the presence of thy Deity nor any creature draw me vnto it for I am not to harbour an Angell but the Lord of Angels 6 And yet there is great difference betweene the Arke the Reliques therof and thy most pure body with his vnspeakable vertues betweene those legall Sacrifices figures of future things and the true sacrifice of thy body the complement of all ancient Sacrifices Why therefore doe I not become more feruent in thy venerable presence Wherefore doe I not prepare my selfe with greater care to receiue thy sacred gifts sith those holy ancient Patriarkes and Prophets yea Kings also and Princes with the whole people haue shewed so great zeale of deuotion to thy diuine seruice 7 The most deuout King Dauid danced before the Arke of God with all his force calling to minde the benefits bestowed in times past vpon his fore-fathers 2. King 6. He made Instruments of sundry kinds he published Psalmes and appointed them to be sung with joy himselfe also oftentimes played vpon the Harpe Being inspired with the grace of the holy Ghost he taught the people of Israel to praise God vvith their whole heart and with pleasant voyces euery day to blesse praise him If so great deuotion was then vsed and such memory of diuine praise before the Arke of the Testament what reuerence and deuotion is now to be performed by me and al Christian people in the presence of this Sacrament in receiuing the most precious body of Christ 8 Many goe to sundry places to visite the Reliques of Saints and are astonished when they heare of their miraculous workes they behold the spacious buildings of their Churches and kisse their sacred bones wrapped in silke and gold And behold thou art heere present with me on the Altar my God the Holy of Holies the Maker of all things and Lord of Angels Oftentimes in those deuotions there is but curiositie of men and nouelty of the beholders in the seeing of such sights and little fruit of amendment is gotten thereby especially where there is so vnconstant wandring without true contrition But heere in the Sacrament of the Altar thou art present my Lord God and Man Christ Iesus where also plentifull fruit of euerlasting saluation is obtained as often as thou art worthily and deuoutly receiued No leuity no curiosity or sensuality draweth vnto this but firme faith deuout hope and sincere charity 9 O God the inuisible Creator of the world how wonderfully dost thou deale with vs How sweetly and graciously doest thou dispose of all things with thy Elect to whome thou offerest thy selfe to be receiued in the Sacrament O this exceedeth all vnderstanding of man this chiefly draweth the hearts of the deuout and inflameth their desire For thy true faithfull seruants that dispose their whole life to amendment by this most worthy Sacrament oftentimes receiue great grace of deuotion and loue of vertue 10 O admirable and hidden grace of this Sacrament which onely the faithfull of Christ do know but the vnfaithfull and such as are slaues vnto sinne cannot conceiue nor feele In this Sacrament spirituall grace is giuen and lost vertue is restored in the soule and beautie disfigured by sinne returneth againe This grace is sometimes so great that with the fulnesse of deuotion which is heere giuen not only the minde but the weake body also feeleth great increase of strength 11 Our coldnes and negligence surely is much to be bewailed and pitied that wee are not drawne with greater affection to receiue Christ in whom al the hope and merit of those that are to be saued doth consist For he is our sanctification and redemption he is the comfort of passengers and the euerlasting fruition of Saints It is much therefore to be lamented